November 11, 2008
global goss:
Ole Miss
In the spring, the Big Guns (AKA the money dudes here at Bridal Guide) made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. They, along with the state of Mississippi, organized a hoedown about destination weddings. And as the travel editor and resident affianced I was called upon to be among the speakers at the event. Formally called a “collaborative effort between the Mississippi Development Authority’s Department of Tourism and Bridal Guide magazine, the 2008 Bridal Symposium” by the Natchez Democrat (that’s the local paper not a person, mom) the two-day event focused on trends in weddings, destination bachelor and bachelorette weekends and, of course, honeymoons.
Even though I was cooped up in speeches for the majority of my time in Natchez, Mississippi, population 18,500, I took advantage of all the breaks and in-between time to explore the historic city—just like a good little travel editor should.
The city of Natchez rests on the hilly eastern banks of the mighty Mississippi River. Since it was never taken in The War (translation for y’all yanks: the American Civil War), Natchez has more historic homes and buildings on the National Register than any other city in the United States. So, it is pretty common to see mondo antebellum mansions with gorgeous columns, lovely porches and sprawling grounds a-la Dunleith Plantation circa 1856 and Twin Oaks (both of which offer wedding packages b-t-dubs):
Dunleith Plantation
Twin Oaks
We stayed at Monmouth Plantation, which features 30 guestrooms and suites and a whole lot of Southern hospitality. Built in 1818, the national landmark houses tons ’o locally sourced antiques, modern conveniences like WiFi and generations of stories.
I slept here. Check out that fancy bed! This room is one of four located on the upper floor of the mansion. Each are uniquely decorated in antebellum antiques and accessed by the upper balcony.
Before the meetings began at 9am, I raced downtown for a beignet breakfast at the Farmer’s Market, an open-air, garage-like structure located in the center of the little city. Beignets—deep fried dough smothered and I mean smothered with a capital S in powdered sugar—are a delicious way to start the day. Yum! Sugar and coffee at 8am was exactly what I needed to get me going before my big speech. But even more exciting than feasting on traditional Southern food was getting to meet all the important people in the coffee klatch, among them was the senator. Yep, that’s how I roll, y’all.
After the meetings, we gathered at Monmouth’s bar area, called the Quitman Lounge, after the original owners of the home, and toasted with some mint juleps. The bartender Roosevelt is what you could call famous for his sweet, Southern concoction. He won a contest at the Kentucky Derby and has been awarded the title of Colonel, which is a very big honor!
Before heading back to Jackson (I couldn’t stop singing the Johnny Cash and June Carter song the entire time I was there), we drove down to the Mississippi River. The architecture in this area of town is noticeably different, thanks to the fact that it was developed both during and after The War. The river port and wharf area became a hub for cotton trade, as well as local logging. But what really put it on the map was the influx of manufactured goods from the North as well as Pennsylvania coal. Many of the houses that line the riverbanks were built by a Jewish merchant class transplanted from cities north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
Then we stopped in the Under The Hill Saloon. The bi-level brick building’s insides may be the definition of a dive bar, but according to historians this place is important. It has been used as a brothel, bar, warehouse and general merchandise store since the late 1700s. It is a total must-see. If you position yourself at the right table, you can watch the sun set over the Mississippi while enjoying a local brew.
Posted by Jenna at 12:31 p.m.
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